Wires crossed between lights?
Hi, I have a 2011 Tucson. Recently, my driver's side headlight went out, but, coincidentally, my driver's side side market light now comes on instead.
I assume the two things have to be related, since they happened at the same time. I wouldn't think that it's a fuse issue - it just seems like somehow the wires are crossed and so the car thinks the headlight is on, when really it's the side marker light that's on.
I've attached a picture.
Any ideas?
Thanks!
I assume the two things have to be related, since they happened at the same time. I wouldn't think that it's a fuse issue - it just seems like somehow the wires are crossed and so the car thinks the headlight is on, when really it's the side marker light that's on.
I've attached a picture.
Any ideas?
Thanks!
Did you change the bulbs before this happened?
Using a DVOM or multi-meter, check the voltage at the head lamp.
Is there 12 volts?
I am suspecting that there is 12 volts and the ground side is bad
And the voltage has found a different path to ground
In any case, got to open it up to check the wiring.
See if something got shorted out or opened up
Good luck
Using a DVOM or multi-meter, check the voltage at the head lamp.
Is there 12 volts?
I am suspecting that there is 12 volts and the ground side is bad
And the voltage has found a different path to ground
In any case, got to open it up to check the wiring.
See if something got shorted out or opened up
Good luck
No, I hadn't changed any bulbs before this happened. Can you clarify your response for me, a bit? If the "ground side" is bad, what is the remedy? Replace the fuse? Similarly, if there aren't 12 volts, what does that mean in terms of the fix?
Thanks!
Thanks!
For the head lamp to light up, it needs 12 volts going to the bulb
And, it needs a good ground for the circuit to be complete and light up the bulb.
If the bulb or socket gets 12 volts then it might have a bad ground
That would mean the electricity is looking for another path to complete circuit
But, I would worry about it just yet. Take a look at the wiring at the bulb first.
Check all the fuses.
Take a test light. One side clipped to a good ground.
The probe side touch the points in the socket.
One side should light up the test light if the headlamp is turned on.
Then take test light. One side clipped to Battery positive
The probe side touch the points in the socket again
One side should light up the test light if the headlamp is turned on.
That would mean good power and ground to bulb. Replace bulb.
Of course, it won't happen like that.
One side or the other or both sides won't light the test light.
Follow the wires back. See if it crosses with the marker light wires
Wait a minute. Shouldn't the marker lights be on if you turn on the head lights?
The stalk switch first turns on the marker lights then turns on the head lights??
The stalk switch turns on the headlight relays which then give a path to ground for the head lights to turn on.
This is so much easier when I am actually there to work on it
Do some testing and then see what you've got.
Good luck
And, it needs a good ground for the circuit to be complete and light up the bulb.
If the bulb or socket gets 12 volts then it might have a bad ground
That would mean the electricity is looking for another path to complete circuit
But, I would worry about it just yet. Take a look at the wiring at the bulb first.
Check all the fuses.
Take a test light. One side clipped to a good ground.
The probe side touch the points in the socket.
One side should light up the test light if the headlamp is turned on.
Then take test light. One side clipped to Battery positive
The probe side touch the points in the socket again
One side should light up the test light if the headlamp is turned on.
That would mean good power and ground to bulb. Replace bulb.
Of course, it won't happen like that.
One side or the other or both sides won't light the test light.
Follow the wires back. See if it crosses with the marker light wires
Wait a minute. Shouldn't the marker lights be on if you turn on the head lights?
The stalk switch first turns on the marker lights then turns on the head lights??
The stalk switch turns on the headlight relays which then give a path to ground for the head lights to turn on.
This is so much easier when I am actually there to work on it
Do some testing and then see what you've got.
Good luck
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